Cruelty to Animals for Social Media Goes Viral: Incident in Baitadi Sparks Outrage

The abuse and killing of innocent animals for the sake of going “viral” on social media is becoming increasingly widespread. The lack of awareness and strict laws has allowed such acts to continue unchecked. The recent incident in Baitadi is a stark example.

In Purbachoudi Municipality, Baitadi, a video showing a street dog being brutally killed has gone viral on social media. The main suspect, Sushant Jung Kshetri, openly admitted to the act by sharing the video on Facebook. The incident reportedly occurred near a marketplace around 6 PM on December 21.

The video shows Kshetri and three of his friends killing the dog together. It is now circulating widely on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, drawing strong condemnation from animal rights activists.

Initially, the Baitadi District Police Office said they were unaware of the incident. However, after receiving the video and details of the case, the police have committed to launching an investigation.

“We had not received any details about this incident earlier,” said a Baitadi police official. “Now that we know, we will identify the suspects and begin the necessary investigation.”

The official emphasized that cases of animal cruelty would be treated seriously.

This incident highlights the growing problem of animal cruelty in Nepal. According to Section 291 of Nepal’s Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, causing unnecessary cruelty to or killing animals is illegal. Even street dogs are protected under the law.

Punishments for such offenses are outlined in Nepal’s Animal Welfare Act and the Muluki Criminal Code, and can include imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to NRs 5,000, or both.